The 5 best personal beefs from Heat-76ers Game 3

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MIAMI, FL – APRIL 19: Head Coach Erik Spoelstra of the Miami Heat speaks with media during a press conference after the game against the Philadelphia 76ers in Game Three of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 19, 2018 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images) /

2. Hassan Whiteside vs. Erik Spoelstra

Heading into this series, the battle between Whiteside and himself loomed as one of the keys to a Miami victory. If the big man remained engaged and focused on both ends of the court, the Heat had a chance of upsetting the higher-seeded Sixers, but the mopey version of Whiteside from the regular-season stretch run spelled likely doom.

Thus far, Whiteside is losing that battle.

“I feel like our offense is a lot different,” he told reporters after taking only one shot in Game 3. “I’m not as involved in as many dribble handoffs as I was and post-ups as I was in the regular season. That’s what Coach wants. Coach wants me to just be in the corner and set picks. That’s what he wants. I’ve just got to trust it.”

Whiteside has been chirping about his usage and Spoelstra’s minutes distribution for much of the season, so his postgame meltdown Thursday came as little surprise. While Embiid dominated the proceedings upon his return to the court, Whiteside largely remained a spectator for the third straight game in this series, much to his chagrin.

There isn’t much reason to expect that to change Saturday, as the Heat have been 12.5 points per 100 possessions better with Whiteside off the floor in this series. Barring a dramatic turnaround in his attitude and play, he’ll again find himself in a limited role come Game 4, raising the chances of more passive-aggressive sniping directed at Spoelstra.

Next: 1. Justise Winslow vs. Joel Embiid

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